Index tab holder



March 8, 1966 E. s. CHURNICK 3,238,947

INDEX TAB HOLDER Original Filed Aug. 5, 1960 INVENTOR. EDWARD S. CHURNICK AT TOR N EYS United States Patent 3,238,947 INDEX TAB HOLDER Edward S. Churnick, Newton, Mass., assignor to Daco Card and Index Company, Boston, Mass. Y Continuation of application Ser. No. 47,759, Aug. 5, 1960. This application May 23, 1963, Ser. No. 288,068 6 Claims. (Cl. 12916.8)

This invention relates to index tab holders and more particularly to index tab holders especially adapted to be attached to hanging folders.

This application is a continuation of my copending application Serial No. 47,759, filed August 5, 1960, now abandoned, entitled Index Tab Holder.

Heretofore, various types of index tab holders have been devised for use with hanging-type folders. In recent years, these index tab holders have taken on similar forms, each type generally being made of plastic in one piece and including opposed legs which straddle and frictionally grip the top edge of a hanging folder. The primary advantage of these recent forms is that they are relatively cheap and also that they can be made out of transparent plastic, thereby permitting the index tab to be inserted therein for proper display. Unfortunately, they also fail to meet other requirements.

In some cases they are too easily removed. In other cases they are too difficult to apply. For example, there is one form of index tab holder having a groove in one leg and a rib and a hooked portion as part of the other leg. The groove and rib are intended to be complemented by a rib and depression, respectively, formed in the opposite halves of an edge reinforcing strip; the hooked portion is intended to grip the bottom edge of that half of the reinforcing strip having the depression. This form of index tab holder is diflicult to insert in place due to the close proximity of the two legs in the region of the groove and rib, the close spacing being necessary in order to assure proper frictional contact with the rib and depression of the reinforcing strip. Increasing the spacing between the two legs so as to make'it easier to 'slip the holder readily in place is done at the expense of a poorer locking action. The latter is even more objectionable since it results in accidental loss of tab holders from folders, a situation which defeats the purpose of a tab holder, namely, to identify a file and/ or its contents.

Accordingly, the primary object of the present invention is to provide a new tab holder for hanging files which is relatively easy to apply but relatively diflicult to pull off of a hanging file folder.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide an index tab holder for hanging folders which is easily slipped onto a reinforced edge of the folder but can be removed readily only by sliding it sidewise along said reinforced edge.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following specification when considered together with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a hanging file folder having a reinforced edge on which is mounted an index tab holder embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a section of tab stock constructed in "accordance With the present invention.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, the present invention is particularly adapted for use with a hanging folder 2 which is formed of paper stock and comprises a front half 4 and a rear half 6 which are joined at a fold line 8. The top edges of the front and rear halves of the Patented Mar. 8, 1966 folder are reinforced by reinforcing strips 10 and 12, respectively, which are identical in construction and orientation. As seen best in FIG. 2, the metal reinforcing strips are formed from a single piece of stock and are bent along an intermediate line down over the top edge of one of the halves of the folder, thereby forming front and back portions 16 and 18, respectively. These front and back portions 16 and 18 are deformed at spaced portions to form complementary ribs 20 and grooves 22, respectively. It is to be observed that the function of these ribs and grooves is to effectively lock the reinforcing metal strips to the edges of the hanging folder. Applicant makes no claim to the foregoing construction, this form of reinforcing metal strip being old, as. illustrated in US. Patent No. 2,910,985, issued to G. K. Epstein et al. on November 3, 1959.

The index tab holder which embodies the present invention is indicated generally at 28. As seen best in FIGS. 2 and 3, the index tab holder comprises a top tab holding portion 30 and an edge mounting portion generally indicated at 32. The top mounting portion 30 may take one of several forms. In its illustrated form, the tab holding portion is inclined at an angle and comprises a front wall 34 formed integral with a rear wall 36. the two walls being joined so as to form a shape corresponding to a flattened cylinder. The edge mounting portion 32 comprises 'a top body portion 38 which is formed integral with the tab receiving portion 30, a front depending leg 40, and a rear depending leg 42. The two legs 40 and 42 converge slightly towards each other, with the forward leg being substantially flatter than the rear leg. The forward leg 40 hangs down lower than the rear leg 42 and is formed at its bottom edge with an upturned lip 44. Preferably, lip 44 tapers towards its edge as shown in FIG. 2. The rear leg 42 also has a flange or lip 46 at its bottom end. Flange 46 is upturned so as to have an inclined bottom surface 46a as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The upturned flange 46, like the upturned flange 44, functions as a detent, and, accordingly, may also be referred to as a detent portion. As observed in FIG. 2, the edge of the flange 44 on the front leg and the edge of the flange 46 terminate substantially in a common plane which is substantially parallel to the plane of the front half of the hanging folder. Accordingly, when the tab holder is snapped over the reinforcing strip, the two legs must be forced apart. The inclined bottom surface 46a on the flange 46 facilitates insertion of the reinforcing strip, acting as a lead-in guide for the strip as it forces the two legs apart. As seen in FIG. 2, the lengths of legs 40 and 42 are such that flange 44 can slip just below the bottom edge of the front portion 16 of the reinforcing strip while at the same time flange 46 will fit in a groove 22 formed in the reinforcing strip.

Due to the vertical distance between the bottom ends of legs 40 and 42 and the angle of flange 46, the reinforcing strip is easily slipped into place between the two legs. The latter readily separate to accommodate the reinforcing strip, and the flange 44 easily slips over the rib 20 and under the bottom edge of the front portion of the reinforcing strip. Similarly, the flange 46 easily slips onto the corresponding groove 22. Thus, insertion is a simple matter.

On the other hand, any attempt to pull the index tab holder off of the reinforcing strip meets with substantial opposition due to the engagement of flange 44 with the bottom edge of the front portion 16 of the reinforcing strip. Trying to pull the tab holder off is very difficult without mechanically separating the two legs 40 and 42. Since this calls for some form of instrument (the fingers of ones hand being too large), it is for all intents and purposes an impractical and frustrating manner of removing the index tab holder. On the other hand, neither grooves 22 nor the bottom edge of the front portion 16 of the reinforcing strip prevent the index tab holder from being moved longitudinally along the reinforcing strip. In fact, this motion is equite easily produced. In this connection, it is to be observed that the grooves 22 are shallower at their ends, thereby permitting the flange 46 to ride out of a groove 22. Accordingly, removal of the index tab holder is easily accomplished by sliding it sidewise of the reinforcing strip.

The foregoing index strip holder has another major advantage in addition to relatively easy insertion and relatively difficult removal except by sidewise motion. The additional advantage is that it is far easier to produce, requiring an extrusion mold which is far less complicated and, therefore, less expensive than molds required with prior snap type index tab holders previously devised. In this connection, it is to be observed that these index tab holders are made in a long strip which is extruded from an extruding machine. The long strip is then cut into sections, each section forming an index tab holder. An advantage of this type of operation is that the index tab holder may be manufactured in assorted lengths, depending upon the length desired to be cut. The index tab holders may also be produced in various colors with the colors acting as coding elements.

It is an easy matter to tint a clear plastic such as polymethacrylate without unduly affecting its transparency so as to permit easy reading of an identification tab inserted between the front and rear walls 34 and 36, respectively, of the tab holding portion.

Obviously, the invention as described and illustrated is susceptible to many modifications and variations which will naturally suggest themselves to one skilled in the art. Accordingly, this invention is to be considered as embracing all such modifications and variations within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a hanging file folder having on one straight edge portion thereof a U-shaped edge reinforcement member comprising front and rear depending portions with bottom edges extending lengthwise of said straight edge portion, said front and rear portions disposed on opposite sides of said edge portion with said bottom edges closely engaging said edge portion, said rear portion having an elongated groove extending parallel to said edge portion; an index tab holder, said tab holder being formed of resilient plastic and comprising a first portion adapted to hold an index tab and a second integrally joined folder-mounting portion removably mounted on said reinforcement member, said folder-mounting portion comprising a body portion and front and rear spaced legs integrally formed with and depending from said body portion, said front and rear legs extending down alongside said front and rear portions respectively of said reinforcement member with said front leg being substantially longer than said rear leg, said legs having substantially smooth uninterrupted surfaces confronting said smooth confronting surface of said front leg when said index tab holder is detached from said folder, whereby to facilitate insertion of said reinforcement member between said legs, said legs making a snap-fit connection with Z said reinforcement member with said first flange underlying and gripping the bottom edge of said front portion of said reinforcement member and said second flange disposed in said groove in tight frictional engagement with said rear portion.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said legs have a minimum spacing therebetween at the level of said second flange.

3. A one-piece index tab holder for attachment to a file folder having an edge reinforcement member provided with front and rear depending portions crimped tight against an edge of said folder with said rear portions having at least one elongated groove extending parallel to said folder edge, said tab holder being formed of a resilient plastic and comprising a top tab-holding portion and a bottom folder-mounting portion, said folder mounting portion comprising first and second spaced depending legs with relatively smooth uncorrugated confronting surfaces, said second leg being shorter than said first leg, each of said legs having a flange along its bottom edge with each flange directed toward the other leg, said legs having a minimum spacing therebetween at the level of the flange of said second leg with the smallest vertical spacing between the first leg flange and the second leg flange being greater than said minimum spacing, said second leg flange having an inclined bottom surface with said minimum spacing being at the level of the upper edge of said bottom surface whereby said bottom surface can function as a guide to facilitate insertion of an edge reinforcement member between said legs so that said first and second leg flanges will lockingly engage the bottom edge of the front portion and the groove in the rear portion respectively of said edge reinforcement member.

4. A one-piece tab holder for snap-fit attachment to an edge reinforcement member of a hanging file folder where said member has first and second depending portions on opposite sides of an edge of said folder with said first portion having an elongated rib and said second portion having an elongated groove extending parallel to said edge, said tab holder being formed of a resilient plastic material and comprising a top tab-holding portion and an integrally joined bottom edge reinforcementmounting portion, said reinforcement-mounting portion comprising first and second spaced legs converging downward away from said tab-holding portion with said first leg longer than said second leg, said legs having relatively smooth confronting surfaces each presenting an unin-l terrupted contour with said first leg having a first flange at the lower edge of its confronting surface and said second leg having a second flange at the lower edge of its confronting surface, said legs having a minimum spacing therebetween at the level of said second flange with the smallest vertical spacing between said first flange and said second flange being greater than said minimum spacing between said legs, whereby to facilitate insertion of said reinforcement member between said legs so that said first flange on said first leg will underlie and firmly lock against the bottom edge of said first portion and said second flange on said second leg will fit in said groove in firm engagement with said second portion.

5. In combination with a hanging file folder having a top edge portion with a U-shaped reinforcement member thereon, said top edge portion comprising a straight edge, said reinforcement member comprising first and second parallel portions each terminating in a straight bottom edge extending parallel to said straight edge, said top edge portion disposed between and interlocked with said first and second portions with said each bottom edge closely engaging said top edge portion, said second portion having an elongated groove therein extending parallel to said each bottom edge; an index tab holder, said tab holder being formed of a resilient plastic and comprising a top tab-holding portion and a bottom integrally joined folder-mounting portion removably mounted on said reinforcement member, said folder-mounting portion comprising a body portion and first and second spaced legs integrally formed with and depending from said body portion, said first and second legs extending down alongside said first and second portions respectively with said first l g terminating below the bottom edge of said first portion and said second leg terminating at substantially the level of said groove, said legs having substantially smooth surfaces confronting said first and second portions with said first leg having a first flange formed at its lower edge projecting toward said second leg and said second leg having a second flange formed at its lower edge projecting toward said first leg, the vertical spacing between said flanges being substantially greater than the minimum spacing between said second flange and the confronting surface of said first leg when said index .tab holder is detached from said folder, whereby to facilitate insertion of said reinforcement member between said legs, said legs making a snap fit connection with said reinforcement member with said first flange underlying and gripping the bottom edge of said first portion and said second flange disposed in said groove in tight frictional engagement with said second portion.

6 6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said second flange has an inclined bottom surface with said minimum spacing being at the level of the upper edge of said bottom surface.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS JEROME SCHNALL, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN COMBINATION WITH A HANGING FILE FOLDER HAVING ON ONE STRAIGHT EDGE PORTION THEREOF A U-SHAPED EDGE REINFORCEMENT MEMBER COMPRISING FRONT AND REAR DEPENDING PORTIONS WITH BOTTOM EDGES EXTENDING LENGTHWISE OF SAID STRAIGHT EDGE PORTION, SAID FRONT AND REAR PORTIONS DISPOSED ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID EDGE PORTION WITH SAID BOTTOM EDGES CLOSELY ENGAGING SAID EDGE PORTION, SAID REAR PORTION HAVING AN ELONGATED GROOVE EXTENDING PARALLEL TO SAID EDGE PORTION; AN INDEX TAB HOLDER, SAID TAB HOLDER BEING FORMED OF RESILIENT PLASTIC AND COMPRISING A FIRST PORTION ADAPTED TO HOLD AN INDEX TAB AND A SECOND INTEGRALLY JOINED FOLDER-MOUNTING PORTION REMOVABLY MOUNTED ON SAID REINFORCEMENT MEMBER, SAID FOLDER-MOUNTING PORTION COMPRISING A BODY PORTION AND FRONT AND REAR SPACED LEGS INTEGRALLY FORMED WITH AND DEPENDING FROM SAID BODY PORTION, SAID FRONT AND REAR LEGS EXTENDING DOWN ALONGSIDE SAID FRONT AND REAR PORTIONS RESPECTIVELY OF SAID REINFORCEMENT MEMBER WITH SAID FRONT LEG BEING SUBSTANTIALLY LONGER THAN SAID REAR LEG, SAID LEGS HAVING SUBSTANTIALLY SMOOTH UNINTERRUPTED SURFACES CONFRONTING SAID FRONT AND REAR PORTIONS WITH SAID FRONT LEG HAVING A FIRST REARWARDLY-PROJECTING FLANGE FORMED AT ITS LOWER EDGE AND SAID REAR LEG HAVING A SECOND FORWARDLY PROJECTING FLANGE FORMED AT ITS LOWER EDGE, THE VERTICAL SPACING BETWEEN SAID FLANGES BEING SUBSTANTIALLY GREATER THAN THE MINIMUM SPACING BETWEEN SAID SECOND FLANGE AND THE RELATIVELY SMOOTH CONFRONTING SURFACE OF SAID FRONT LEG WHEN SAID INDEX TAB HOLDER IS DETACHED FROM SAID FOLDER, WHEREBY TO FACILITATE INSERTION OF SAID REINFORCEMENT MEMBER BETWEEN SAID LEGS, SAID LEGS MAKING A SNAP-FIT CONNECTION WITH SAID REINFORCEMENT MEMBER WITH SAID FIRST FLANGE UNDERLYING AND GRIPPING THE BOTTOM EDGE OF SAID FRONT PORTION OF SAID REINFORCEMENT MEMBER AND SAID SECOND FLANGE DISPOSED IN SAID GROOVE IN TIGHT FRICTIONAL ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID REAR PORTION. 